rear chainplates

[kanderson4unc]

hey everybody, I am replacing the rear chainplates of my Vega, due to a large trawler bumping into the pushpit and backstays. Plan to order them from steve b. Does anyone know if the rear chainplates are the same as the upper and lowers? They seem to angle inward toward the mast some. Is that a function of a bend in the chainplates or is there a tapered shim under there to give it the needed angle? i'm a few hundred miles from the boat so any light anyone could shed would be great! Thanks so much.

karl

 

[groundhogyh]

If u are talking about the "U" bolts, they are
bent with that angle for the backstay. I believe
they also have the little nibs sticking out from
the body to exert pressure on the top of
the stanchion base as u tighten nuts below.
In other words ... Make sure u purchase
Something made for the vega.

 

[vegatern]

Hi Karl All of the original chainplates bend some to put them in line with the rigging. The plates for the cap shrouds bend a bit, the lowers a bit more, and the two for the back stay more yet. The plates for the backstay also have a wider spread than the others as the holes through the deck are farther apart. There is no shim in the system. When I replaced the plates for the cap shrouds I ordered them from Steve and they arrived straight. ( I was aware they would) I mounted them in a vise and heated the base with an acetylene torch, then bent them with a padded wrench to match the old ones, and let them air cool. Quenching in water would make the steel brittle. A little polishing compound made them look like new, which they were.
Steve, If you read this and disapprove of my bending the chainplates perhaps you could respond. I think I did right but probably should have checked with you first. Thanks
Craig Tern #1519